Renewables account for 27.5% of Italy’s electricity demand in February

Renewables account for 27.5% of Italy’s electricity demand in February

(IN BRIEF) In February 2023, total electricity demand in Italy decreased by 2.2% compared to the same month in 2022. According to Terna, the company that manages the Italian electricity grid, the country’s industrial sector also decreased by 6.8% compared to the same month last year. National demand decreased by 3.5% in the first two months of the year compared to the same period in 2022. Renewables accounted for 27.5% of electricity demand, with hydroelectric and solar production remaining stable. The balance of electricity exchanged with foreign countries amounted to 18.8% of demand, with a 40.6% decrease in exports and a 25.9% increase in imports.

(PRESS RELEASE) ROME, 21-Mar-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — According to data collected by Terna, the company that manages the Italian electricity grid, in February, total electricity demand in Italy stood at 25.1 billion kWh, a 2.2% decrease compared to February 2022. The industrial sector also fell, -6.8% compared to February 2022. The seasonally adjusted change compared to January 2023 was +4.7%.

In the first two months of the year, national demand decreased by 3.5% compared to the corresponding period of 2022 (-3.7% adjusted value).

Analysing the data in detail, February had the same number of working days (20) and an average monthly temperature that was 0.7°C lower than the same month in 2022. The figure for electricity demand, adjusted for seasonal and temperature effects, was down by 3.3%. At the regional level, in February 2023, the annual trend was substantially stable in the South and the Islands (+0.2%), but negative in the North (-3.4%) and in Central Italy (-1.7%). Cyclical data for electricity demand, adjusted for seasonal and temperature effects, grew by 1.1% compared to January of this year.

In February 2023, 81.2% of electricity demand in Italy was met by national production and the remainder (18.8%) by the balance of electricity exchanged with foreign countries. Net domestic production amounted to 20.5 billion kWh (-8.2%). Renewables accounted for 27.5% of electricity demand. Generation from renewables in February can be broken down as follows: 26.1% wind, 25.2% solar, 22.9% hydroelectric, 19.8% biomass and 6% geothermal. Hydroelectric (+1.2%) and solar production (+2.2%) were substantially stable. All other sources fell: thermal (-8.3%), wind (-20.3%), and geothermal (-4.8%). Relative to the import/export balance, the change amounted to +33.3% due to the combined effect of decreased exports (-40.6%) and increased in imports (+25.9%).

According to Terna’s findings detailed in the monthly report, considering all renewables, in 2023 the increase in capacity in Italy was 769 MW, marking significant growth (+234%) compared to the same period in 2022, mainly attributable to growth in solar production.

Terna’s IMCEI index, which considers the industrial consumption of energy-intensive companies, fell 6.8% compared to February 2022; however, adjusted for seasonal and calendar effects, it was up 4.7% compared to January. Specifically, compared to the same month last year, consumption was up for means of transport and the ceramics and food and beverage sectors.

A detailed analysis of provisional 2022 and 2023 monthly electricity demand is available in the publication “Monthly Report on the Electricity System”, under the section “Electric System>>Dispatching>>Operating Data>>Monthly Report” at www.terna.it.

Real-time data on the operation of the national electricity system can also be found on the Terna app, available on all app stores:

On the subject of consumption, the Noi Siamo Energia (We Are Energy) campaign to raise awareness for conscious, rational, and virtuous electricity consumption in Italy — created by Terna with the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security — is still ongoing. The communication campaign identifies a series of behaviours through which it is possible to contain consumption, and therefore costs, with a view to sustainability, cost savings and greater energy efficiency, to the benefit of everyone, citizens and businesses alike.

The app on the electricity system, available on all devices, was updated with a new feature called Ecologio, which allows every citizen to easily identify the daily peak time slot in which it is preferable to consume less energy (Monday to Friday) and thus be able to consciously choose to moderate their needs while also lowering costs for the entire Italian electricity system.

Media Contact:

Tel +39 06 83138111
info@pec.terna.it

SOURCE: TERNA S.p.A.